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5 biggest talking points from Game of Thrones 6.04 ‘Book of the Stranger’

Another week, another thrilling episode of Game of Thrones to devour and pick to pieces with our friends. This week’s ambitious story saw Daenerys escape from her predicament in Vaes Dothrak with the support of the Dothraki, while two Starks FINALLY reunited and had that “why in Westeros did we leave Winterfell?” conversation we always suspected they’d have.

Here are five of the biggest talking points from Game of Thrones 6.04 ‘Book of the Stranger’:

1. Daenerys’ [second] rebirth from the flames

We suspected that Daenerys might become free from her confinement with the Doth Khaleen in Vaes Dothrak – and even that she might come out of the whole ordeal with a shiny new army – but we couldn’t have imagined she’d do it by almost entirely on her own, or with such flair.

The rebirth asks questions about Dany’s apparent fire-immunity, especially since George R.R. Martin has gone on the record to state that the last Targaryen isn’t fireproof. It could be just another way in which the books and show have diverged. What we’re most excited about is what Dany does next. Presumably she’ll need to sort out the fiasco at Slaver’s Bay, but now she really does have a big enough army to make the long-awaited trip across the Narrow Sea to Westeros.

2. Tyrion’s diplomacy skills

Tyrion made a bold move this episode in inviting the slave owners across Slaver’s Bay to broker peace with him in Meereen, offering them a cooldown period of seven years on the whole no slaves thing. The whole negotiation was exactly the sort of thing Daenerys is so terrible at and Tyrion has proved himself really rather excellent at it.

Former slaves Missandei and Grey Worm were less impressed by the offer, however, and hinted that they might not remain on Tyrion’s side if he continues to make decisions that allow slavery. Grey Worm promised any deal with the slave traders would come back to haunt them, but there’s no denying that Tyrion’s speech on trusting the self-interest of the slave owners was the most logical thought process the show has seen in years.

3. The Stark family reunion

The moment we have waited six seasons for finally arrived, and it was just as rewarding as we had always imagined. Stark siblings Jon and Sansa met up at the wall, shared a hug, and Sansa immediately proved what a bad ass she’s become. Even better than that, Jon pledged that the two of them would remain together. Happy days!

However, where the Starks go – trouble quickly follows. Ramsay sent a threatening letter to Jon, demanding Sansa back and informing him of Rickon’s incarceration within Winterfell. Reluctantly, Jon was forced to accept Sansa’s proposals to raise an army and take back their home. We already know that Ramsay has the largest of the Northern houses at his command, so Jon and Sansa will have to fight tooth and nail to win an army that can battle the Bolton bastard.

4. The Lannisters and the Tyrells to join forces

Cersei spoke sense for the first time in a long time in ‘Book of the Stranger’, in which she said that the Sparrows were able to take power because they anticipated that those in power would bicker amongst themselves rather than destroy the threat. She proposed that the Lannisters join with rival house the Tyrells in order to eliminate the holy order.

Of course, it’s Cersei, so certainly there will be some sort of malicious plan involved – probably stabbing their new allies in the back after the battle is won. Will Margaery get out alive? Will Tommen continue to be useless? Can Cersei finally depose the High Sparrow?

5. Theon, Yara and the Kingsmoot

Theon is back – and just in time for the Kingsmoot, his sister Yara shrewdly observes. The two share a surprisingly touching moment (they are Ironborn, after all) after Theon admitted that all he wants is for his sister to rule and to help her achieve it.

We haven’t seen much of the Ironborn this season, but we did witness the murder of patriarch Balon by his brother (presumed to be Euron). We learnt little about Euron at the time, besides him being a bit of a religious zealot who has travelled all over the world. It seems certain that he will raise his head again in time for the Kingsmoot, and his world knowledge might prove useful. Didn’t Yara say in an earlier episode that the Iron Born are no good on land, but rule the sea? We know a certain Ms. Targaryen is in need of a fleet, and Euron might just be the guy to connect the dots.